''Jake is a 32 year old 14'2 Welsh gelding and has been in the family since he was 18 months old. I bought him from my sister as a 7 year old and he's always been a little pocket rocket. I'm sure that in his past life he was a racehorse as he often still believes he's out on the track, especially if he's out on a walk in the forest and on the way home - turbo boost always kicks in!
I was introduced to Simple System's Lucie Nuts when he was about 15 and since then he has been fed a range of Simple System feeds. I have tried other feeds, but anything with cereals, wheat or molasses in made him fizzy and unable to contain his energy. Simple System feeds worked well and gave him the energy he needed.
To this day, his diet now consists of HayCare and Lucie Nuts - as well as meadow hay. He also has FlexiBalance as his forage balancer with natural joint support.
He's been relatively fit over the years but 18 months ago he suffered a type of stroke in his stable in the early hours. I was lucky as my vets all know Jake very well and we made the decision to save him - after only 3 days on box rest, he was back out running around the paddock with his field companions!
I'm very lucky to have him living at home as owning an older horse is challenging to keep the weight on, especially over the winter months. Last year he had a couple of teeth removed by the vet and what he has left are no longer growing and worn down - although my vets tell me has good front teeth!
It has been a learning curve for me as feeding an older horse takes time, dedication and money. He has always lost a bit of condition over winter as he is a fussy eater, but last year I felt he lost more than I'd like towards the end of summer.
Feed, feed and feed was the answer! I was feeding him 3 large meals a day of HayCare and Lucie Nuts as a mash mixed together, as his teeth cannot chew hay well enough to digest properly for him to put on condition. He came out of winter looking good and ready for the spring/summer.
Managing Jake alongside 3 other horses makes it harder as they all have different feeding needs - Jack will eat everything and everything, Josh does not have such an appetite and Lady Socks will also eat as much of her body weight if left to her own devices.
I have to separate Jake during the winter months as he chooses to eat his bucket food as and when he likes during the day and he is lucky that during the wet days I have him free-range wandering around the garden, the yard and the menage. He also is a talking point for people walking past!
In addition to his feeding issues, Jake also has Cushing's disease so over the years has lost a little top line. I am very cautious in the summer as I don't want him to eat too much good grass and have to find the right balance.
It's tough owning a golden oldie - particularly from a time and logistics point of view ensuring he has a ready supply of feed. But I wouldn't change it for a minute - he's part of the family and I feel he's owed a good retirement and a secure environment, as over the years he has taught me huge lessons, as well as giving many other people fun and enjoyment. Even now, I will tack him up and take the grandkids for walk into the forest and he loves every moment with his ears pricked forward.
I know he won't be around forever and everyday is a blessing. But I'm sure that without such good feeds he would not be here today. I'm grateful there are feeds suitable for the golden oldies who don't have many teeth.
Thank you Simple Systems for what you do!''
Rachael Dawson, Simple System customer
